World War I Impact on Garda and Ledro Lake Towns
It is a different kind of war that emerges from reading Domenico Fava‘s latest book, a researcher from Limonese specializing in local history. Fava has published “The Great War on the Front between Garda and Ledro“, by Il Sommolago. It is a collection of stories, letters, numerous photographs, and in the final part, a sort of biography of soldiers from Alta Garda and Molina di Ledro, and their lives at the front.
It is the result of years of meticulous work and research, sifting through documents from many archives, including the State Archive of Brescia. “Italians and Austro-Hungarians face each other” — the author recounts — “they fight fiercely, mourning their first deaths in June.” The war marks the months, and then the years.
Tremosine witnesses an increasing Italian presence, which becomes massive, “The command of the sub-sector is at Passo Nota: hundreds and hundreds of soldiers dig trenches and mountain shelters, build mule tracks and positions. The Regia Marina installs two cannons at Campagnola di Malcesine and Limone: the Austrians respond, hitting houses in Limone and terrorizing the local population.” Until, in 1916, a “young Piacenza sub-lieutenant of the Bersaglieri, Giuseppe Cipelli, a student of engineering with a hobby for photography, arrives at Garda and Ledro. He writes to his parents: finally I’m settled, and what a place. I am on the front line in a very important and beautiful spot, the lake.”
Cipelli’s exploits and testimonies
Fava has expertly highlighted Cipelli’s photographs (thanks also to the help of another research expert: Mauro Grazioli). And, Fava continues, “Cipelli becomes a witness to clashes, raids, and shelling,” which he recounts in his letters to his parents or brother, from the front.
From September 1916, Cipelli moves to Monte Carone, which divides its slopes between Molina di Ledro and Limone. Promoted to lieutenant, “Cipelli commands a good number of men, with sixty horses and four cannons. He can still dedicate time to taking photographs, not only panoramic views of Garda and Ledro lakes and the surrounding mountains, but also moments of soldiers’ lives during work, drills, and leisure activities.
The war’s consequences for the lake towns
Fava’s work also addresses a sad moment for Limone and its inhabitants: in 1916, the evacuation of the town occurs. “The Limone residents evacuate to Maderno and Gardone, staying in villas and hotels that usually housed wealthy Austrian and German bourgeoisie; another 150 seek refuge in Tremosine with relatives and acquaintances.”
After the war, the damage assessment begins. In Limone, “some houses are destroyed, roads damaged, the port unusable, the mill missing a millstone, munitions depots need removal, many mines in the lake still pose a danger to fishing, lemon groves and olive orchards are abandoned. Moreover, the municipal budget faces a huge deficit.”
And Tremosine? It fares no better: “Damage to the cotton mill, the San Michele hermitage, the port, and the town hall is substantial, but especially to the forests and mountain shelters: only these last two sectors are quantified at 144,000 lire.” There are also serious consequences among the men: “Among the 100 soldiers from Limone, 13 are dead; among the 200 from Tremosine, 35 fall on the battlefield or die from war-related causes. The Valle di Ledro also loses soldiers and refugees. A tragedy added to the bombings and looting of villages.”